Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-08
THE THREE AMERICAS
PROPOSED CELEBRATION AND zxposr.
TIoH AT WASHINGTON.
Plan for Observing the Centennial Of tbs
Constitution and the -Four Hundredth
Year Of Americas Discovery.

A speclal meeting OF the Board OF
Directors Of the Chamber Of Com
merce was held yesterday evening to
consider the Three Americas Exposi-
ton, &c. Present the following !:
George A. Ainslis (presidenD, r. A.
Dunlop FIRST vice-president), George
l.. Christian Second vice-president),
A. II. Christian, Jr., N. ID. Hargrovs,
J. j. Montague, and S. ID. Crenshaw !;
also, Messrs. Thomas Christian and r.
ID. Adam, OF the Chamber, and j. n.
Boyd, Of the Tobacco Exchange.
President Ainslie having explained
the object of the meeting called upon
Mr.. A. ID. Anderson, OF Washington,
the secretary of the Board of Promo
ton, to give the details Of the plan as
proposed. Mr.. Anderson sketched the
scheme OF the organization, in sub
stance as follows:
"First. A constitutional centennial
celebration at Washington in 1889 by
the sixteen American republics in
honor OF the one hundredth ami
versary Of the Inauguration OF the
Constitution of the parent repub-
lic-the United States. This, rs its
name implies, is simply celebra-
ton, and does not contemplate an
exposition. twill probably last about
one week, commencing either March
4th, the date the Constitution went
into effect, or April Both, the date the
first President under the Constitution
was inaugurated. 1t is desired that
the celebration be entirely under
the auspices and control of the
General Government. and that the
presidents and chief justices of the
fifteen sister republics Of the three
Americas which have complimsnted
our republic by copying its Csnstita-
ton to q greater or less extent be in-
vites to visit Washington and join with
our President, Chief Justice, and JUS
tices of the Supreme Court and the
Senate and House Of Representatives
and others in honor Of the centennial
of the Inauguration OF republican gov
eminent upon the westers hemisphere.
"Second. The next part of the pro-
gramme is . Worlds Exposition at
Washington, from the 1st of May to the
end Of October, 1892, in honor OF the
four hundredth anniversary Of the dis
cOvery of America by Columbus. 1t
is proposed that the Exposition be IN
der the control of a governmental
board of twenty-ene-seyen to be APP
pointed by the President OF the United
States, seven by the President OF the
Senate, and seven by the Speaker OF
the House.
"Among the buildings suggested,
part of which are to constitute the Ex-
position proper, and part to be outside
of its Jurisdiction, but closely allied to
it, are the following
"a permanent building fora perma-
nent exhibit at the national capital of
the representative resources, arts, and
industries OF the forty-six States and
Territories of the United States.
"a grand permanent building for
permanent exhibit of the representa-
tive resources, arts, and industries OF
all other American countries-viz.,
the fifteen Spanish-Americas republics,
the empire Of Brazil, the Dominion of
Canada, and the West India islands
GA grand temporary building for
six months in 1892 to accommodate the
exhibits of other nations and private
exhibitors who may not wish to main
tain permanent exhibit.
"a permanent building for perma-
nont exhibit of working models Of great
American inventions, this to be under
the control of the Patent Office.
"An enlargement OF the present Ma
tional Museum into a three Americas or
Continental Museum.
" A colossal statue of Columbus to be
unveiled October12, 1892, on the Expo
sition park.
"Also such other buildings as may
be needed to constitute the greatest ex
position the world has ever witnessed.
"Ihird. The next and most impOr-
tant part Of this comprehensive project
is permanent exposition Of the hists
", antiquities, resources, arts, and in
dustries OF the three Americas to
be the outgrowth OF the said Exposition
of 1892, and to remsiR under govern
mental control, probably under soma
such management as the present Ma
tional MsL.um, and free to all visi-
tors"
To accomplish the objects aimed at
the Board of Promotion look to Con
gress for appropriations, and the first
they ask (and already favorably re-
ported by the House commlttee) is for
SlOO, eco fer the celebration in 1889.
Then they will want money for the ex-
position buildings.